Wire recoater



H. GREENE WIRE RECOATER Sept. 3, 1940.

Filed Dec. 8, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORI Sept. 3, 1940. H. GREEiNE 2,213,670

WIRE RECOATER Filed Dec}. 8, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I 1 l lNVENTORi H. GREENE WIRE RECOATER Sept. 3, 1940.

s Shets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 8, 1937 INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 3, 1940 'bliltl stares PATENT OFFICE WIRE REOOATER Harold Greene, Williams, Ariz. Application December 8, 1931, Serial No. 178,646 8'Claims.- (0191- 33) Fig.1 is a miniature side elevation of the re- My invention relates to wire recoater and has for its object the recoating of overhead insulated wires already installed, with a suitable weatherproof liquid or paint, before the said insulation 25.; becomes so badlydamaged by exposure to the elements, that the wire may have tobe taken down and replaced with new wire.

The device may likewise be used to coat or recoat with liquid any overhead single cable of any kind.

It is designedto, be used. with a commercial paint pail, preferably, 1 U. S. gallon size, but obviously may be adapted to any particular shape of container desired. w

Briefly, it comprises a frame adapted to hold the pail, and a distributing wheel emersed in the liquid in the pail, said wheel being held ,in contact with thewire or cable to be recoated by a pair of grooved wheels set in tandem relation and adapted to ride on the wire and by which the device is suspended.

A self adjusting brush mounted over said distributing wheel and the wire to be recoated and in contact therewith, is adapted to spread the liquid on the wire when the device is drawn along said wire by a light rope attached to the device and extending therefrom to the hands of an operator who may be on the nextpole or on the ground and who will walk from pole topole and pull the device after him. 1

When the pole is reached, the operator will ascend the pole, remove the device from the wire, remount it again on the otherside of the pole insulator, descend and continue recoating the line. The wire adjacent the pole, maybe recoated by hand painting as usual. v

Various methods may be used to suit the conditions. The most economical would probably be 40 for an experienced operator to do the overhead work and have a helper on the ground to pull the device along. In some cases it wouldbe more suitable for operators to be on two neighboring poles and pull the device back and forth keeping their two ropes attached at all times.

Means are provided for removing the drip from the wire and returning it to the pail. The :device is suitably insulated to protect the operator from short-circuiting alive wire. A flexible handle is provided to hand carry the device'when off the wire and a pedestal to support it when placed on the ground. Other expedients leading to perfection in'operation' of the device will be explained as the specification proceeds and will be referredto inthe drawings, in which:

coater mounted on the wire to be recoated, Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the recoater,

Fig. '3 is a miniature plan view of a modification, 7

Fig.4: is a vertical transverse section as indicatedon the line 4-4 in Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a detail of one of the liquid-proof bearings, Fig.6 isa side elevation partly in section of the device the towing bail being partly raised to include same in the figure,

Fig. '7 is a detail longitudinal section of the means for removing the drip from the wire,

I Fig. 8 is a transverse View of Fig. '7, and

Fig. 9 "is an enlarged detail side elevation of the drip remover in the alternate position.

Referring to Fig. 4: I0 is a standard U. S. gallon paint pail with cover removed and having the usual bail H. The pail partly filled with recoating liquid is mounted in the recoater supported by 'a rockable U frame [2, depending pivotally from screws I3l3, secured in an annular frame l4, preferably a casting of light metal. This frame is provided with a pair of cross-bars I5-I5, integral therewith and upstanding lugs Iii-A6, provided with a pivot l1, adapted to pivotally support a trolley carriage 50, hereinafter described.

, The side members of the frame [2, are connected by a semicircular bar l8, adapted to confine the pail l 0, on one side and in position within the U frame l2. The other side of the pail is confined by an elastic strap I9, one end of which is anchored to a screw eye 23.

The screw eye 23, is mounted in one of the arms of the frame I2 and the strap 19 comprising a chain 20, an intermediate spring 2| and a snaphook 22 passes around the pail where the snap 22 engages a screw eye 23 mounted in the other arm of the U frame. See Figs. 1-4. p r The bottom or connecting member of the U frame 12, has a depressed portion [2a, to which is secured at right angles thereto, a foot-piece 24, which with the portion l2a, form a cruciform pedestal on which the recoater may restwhen on the ground.

A handle 30, is secured to one of the arms of the U frame I2 as by rivets 25-25, and it may be covered by insulation such as hard rubber or rubber tubing 26. The handle may be providedwith an insulated screw eye 21, to which may be anchored an adjustable strap 29, the other end of which is provided with a snap hook 28, adapted to be secured to a pin 52, in an insulating end block a, secured to a transverse member 5|, hereinafter described. 7

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the pail annular frame It, rocking the frame I2, back to member 5| A. grooved distributing member 5|, which is pivoted between the lugs 16.,

by the pivot H. A rectangular frame 53, formed from strap metal may be mounted drectly under the'transverse member 5|, ar d the sides of said frame may be let into the transverse member and secured thereto by the angles 54, spot welded-or otherwise attached.

The carriage 50', is provided" with grooved wheels 55, mounted inside [of the frame 53. These wheels are adaptedlto, ride, on the'wire (W) to be recoated. The transverse member 5| of the carriage 50,. is apertured as at 56, .to provide entrance for a. brush 51, which may be mounted-in a frame 58, pivoted'to a pin '59;, in the A' set screw '65, holds said brush in position. The ,weight and center off'gravity of this frame 58, is such that the brush '51, will rest on the wire W, and in the groove of the distributing wheel 3|, with sufficient pressure to wipe up the paint adhering to the wheel as. it revolves. The end of the transverse member 5|,

' above the handle 36, is provided with the insulating block 5|a, which may be of Bakelite, fibre or similar material. This block is secured to the member 5|, by screws 5w. I

The other end of the member 5|, is provided with an insulated handle 51c, mounted on a post 5M, which is secured to a bracket 5| 6, said bracket being secured to the member 5| by screws 5|).

wheel 3|, is positioned. centrally of the two wheels 55, and in line'therewith the perimeter of the grooved'portion'of the wheel 3|, overlaps a straight line tangent to and between the perimetersof the grooves in the wheels 5555; so that when the device is in-position, the wire W, irrespectiveof its size, will pass under the wheels 55 and over'thewheel 3|, with sufficient tension thereon'to give traction to the wheel 3 i when the device is pulled along the wire W. The wheel 31, may be-of wood or molded insulating material mounted andkeyed to an axle 32. e

The wheel 3|, is mounted in1bearings 33, in depending arms 34-414, which are secured to the under surf-ace of the cross-bars |5' '|'5, by screws 3'5. In order to keep the bearings'33, free from the coating liquid, I have'provided a simple stuffing box which is shown indetail in Fig. 5. It comprises a bearing cylinder 45, (of bronze or other anti-friction metal) having 'a'rectangular flange i5. The cylinder 45, is mounted in an aperture in the arm34, and a" rectangular felt washer 41, surrounds the cylinder; 45' a-nd fills the space between the flange 46 and the surface of the arm 3'1. A flanged box A8, is mounted on together and effect a seal and exclude. any liquid from the bearings.

The recoater may be drawn along the wire W, by means of a tow line 6|, (see Figs. 1 and 6) which may be provided with a snap hook for readily attachingsame to a bail 62, pivoted in and between screw eyes 6262', mounted diametrically opposite each other on the annular frame M. The tow line 6| will slide on the bail 62 so that the device may be pulled in either direction by the same line. The bail 62 may be rocked to one side when .the device is resting on the ground. (Fig. 4.)

Means for carrying the device consists of a flexible handle 63, having snaphooks 64, adapted to fasten to screw eyes 65, secured at opposite points on the annular frame M. The handle 63, being over thewire W, provides a safety should ones hold slip when adjusting the device on the wire W.

After the wire W, has received the coat of liquid from the wheel 3|, and the brush 51, a drip accumulates on the sides of the wire'which slowly moves toward the bottom of the wire and would finally drop to the ground but for the means which I have provided for returning it thereof adapted to slide under the wire W, andengage the sides thereof. The wiper 61,.is adjustably mounted on a meta-l'plate 68, whichis slotted as at 69, to receive a .bolt'1ll', which. passes through the wiper 61, and which maybe adjusted relative to the plate 68,- by a nut 1|. 68 has a transverse rock shaft12', secured to it as by spot welds and the ends of said shaft 12, are turned toward the wiper to form toes 13.

The shaft .12 maybe mounted through holes in channel brackets 14, which are secured to the cross bars. |5-|-5 of the frame M, by bolts 15. The lower end of the plate 683, has secured thereto, a counterweight .16, of sufiicient size to hold the wiper :a vertical plane when hanging free on the rock shaft 12.. When the wiper issin the vertical plane the toes 13 will engage the lower flange of the channel 14 and permit the wiper to rock only one direction, (that is, toward the wheel 3|) so that one or the other of the wipers will remain in the vertical plane to effecta wiping of the wire W, when the recoater is pulled in either direction. Conversely, one or the other of the wipers will rock away from the wire W, and into an inactive position as shown in Fig. 9. Thus when the recoater is pulled from left to right as in Fig. 6, the wiper on the left will operate toremove the drip. (See Figs. "1 and. it.)

In use, I find that the trailing wheel 55, of the carriage 50, mars the surface of the freshly painted wire W, as it passes over it, and to overcome this objection, I provide a sheet rubber wiper 11, secured to each end of the carriageand notched to fit over the wire W. The forward wiper'11, will bend back slightly under the carriage and the rear wiper 11, will trail the carriage, lightly contacting the freshly painted wire W, and eliminating any mar caused by the wheel 55. I

In Fig. 3, I show a modification of the bail 62. This may be a wire 18, formed in a semicircle with the diametricalyends- 19, thereof rigidly mounted in the frame f4. Adjacent the ends 19, 15

The plate.

open loops are formed with the wire adapted to engage the snap hook of the tow line 6|. Thus the line may be used to pull the recoater in either direction and from a point near the carriage 5Q, which is preferable. When using this type of bail I prefer to mount the eyes 65 on the top of the frame Hi, as shown in Fig. 3.

In use the pail I0, is placed within the device as previously described. The operator may then carry it bythe handle 63, to the pole and if necessary may then rest it on the groundby means of the pedestal formed by the foot-piece 2d, and the portion l2a, of the U frame l2. Then carrying the device with him he ascends the pole, unfastens the strap 29, and swings the carriage 50, back on the pivot l1. He then places the device under'the wire W, so that the wire lies Within the groove of the roller 3 l; he then swings the carriage over the wire and fastens it by means of the hook 28, and if necessary the tension is then set by the adjustable strap 2%. He then attaches the tow line H, to the bail 82, or he may have done this before ascending the pole.

The recoater is now ready to be drawn along the wire by means of the towline 6!. As this takes place, the liquid is carried up by the wheel 3!, to the wire W, and. the brush 51. The latter overlies the wire W, on the topand the sides and dams up the liquid thus forming a pool through which the wire passes. The drip will be scraped off by the wiper 61, and will return to the pail.

The device may be quickly taken apart for cleaning: The carriage may be removed by pulling out pivot pin H; the brush 5! removed and placed in a suitable solvent such as kerosene. The wheel brackets 34 and wheel 3|, may be quickly removed by removing screws 35, in the cross bars [5. The bearings being packed will exclude the paint and also the solvent. Between day jobs the recoater may be left in a pail of water to prevent drying and gumming too thick to work with.

Modifications within the scope of the claims may be made in the construction without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance: I may substitute for the strap 29, an elastic connection having a coil spring similar to 2|, used with the chain 20, and thus avoid the adjustment necessary by the buckle of the strap 29.

I claim:

1. The combination with a trolley for riding over a wire or the like, of an annular substantially horizontal frame depending from said trolley and below said wire, an underframe pivotally depending from said annular frame for supporting a pail and open along one side to enable a pail to be inserted in said underframe when the same has been swung to one side of its normal position, means engaging a pail on the open side'of the underframe for holding it therein, and means supported by said trolley and annular frame for raising liquid in a pail and coating said wire.

2. The combination with a trolley adapted to ride over a tensioned member, of a liquid container carried thereby below said member, a paint brush adjustably mounted at one end of a frame pivoted at its opposite end on said trolley above said container, and free to swing about said pivot and in response to gravity yieldingly press said brush against said tensioned member and effect a wiping engagement therewith, a wheel for raising liquid from said container to said brush for distribution thereby to coat said member, means for supporting said wheel within said container, and means for wiping excess coating and any wheel marks from said member.

3. An apparatus for coating a flexible tensioned member comprising a trolley riding over said member, a liquid container carried thereby, a paint brush supported in a frame and normally in contact with said member to be coated, the width of said brush being greater than its thickness and being aligned with said member, said frame being pivotally mounted above said container and capable of being rocked transversely of said member to lift the brush out of contact therewith.

4. The combination with an underframe adapted to support a removable liquid container, of an overframe pivoted to said underframe and provided with a pair of spaced trolley wheels, a Wheel carried by the underframe for engagement with the opposite side of a track on which said trolley wheels travel, said overframe being capable of being moved away from said underframe to attach said frames to said track, means for holding said frames together on said track, a sub-frame pivoted adjacent one end of said overframe, and a brush secured to the other end thereof, said sub-frame being capable of being rocked to lift said brush without separation of the underframe and overframe.

5. In a liquid coating apparatus, an overframe having trolley wheels, an underframe beneath the track on which said trolley rides, means for separating said frames for attaching them to said track, means for holding them together on said track, means for removably carrying a liquid container in said underframe, means for supplying liquid to said track, and distributing means for coating said track, consisting of a sub-frame pivoted to said overframe and supporting a brush, and capable of being rocked to lift said brush away from said track without separation of the underframe and overframe, and means for returning excess liquid from said track to said container.

6. A liquid coating apparatus comprising an overframe containing spaced trolley wheels for supporting said apparatus from a flexible tensioned track adapted to be coated, an underneath frame beneath said track pivoted to the overframe on an axis substantially parallel thereto whereby said frames may be separated for attachment to said track, said underframe including an annular frame and a depending frame pivoted thereto for supporting a liquid container, said depending frame being capable of being swung to one side to allow insertion of a liquid container into the annular frame from below it, a flexible tension means for holding the liquid container in said depending frame, means for holding the over and under frames together, a fountain grooved roll carried by the annular frame, a brush pivotally secured in said overframe for engagement with said track and grooved roll, a flexible wiper on each side of said brush for removing excess liquid and returning it to said liquid container regardless of the direction in which said apparatus is moved along said track, and a smoothing Wiper at each end of said apparatus beyond said wheels for removing any wheel'marks from said track.

'7. An apparatus for applying liquid to a flexible tensioned member along which said apparatus is movable, an overframe containing spaced trolley wheels for supporting said apparatus on said tensioned member, an underneath frame pivoted to the said overframe for separation of said frames 7 tor receive: said tensionedmember, and a liquid.

container carried by said underneath frame'; a brush removably supported in a frame pivotal-1y securedtosaidoverframe, a grooved-roll in said liquid container journalled in said underneath frame. and incontact with" said tensioned member' and rotatable thereby to convey liquidto'saidbrush, a Wiper between said wheels adapted to engage the lower surfaceonly of said tens'ione'd member and remove excess liquid therefrom, anda lagging wiper outsidev said Wheels adapted to engagei'the upper surface only of said member and smooth the liquid on: same to removeany wheel marks therefrom. v8'. apparatus for applying liquid coating to a tensionedwire or the like'while the same is sub-:

stantially straight, and comprising a liquid container, a trolley riding on said wire, means for supporting said container below said wire from said trolley, a grooved wheel journalled within said container in contact with said wire, and a brush for distributing said liquid to coat said wire 

